Fellows selected by a world-class panel of songwriters: Juliette Armanet, Patty Griffin, John Mellencamp, Carla Morrison and Nas, will spend year-long fellowship elevating their craft.
The Bob Dylan Center [BDC] and Universal Music Publishing Group, the global publishing division of Universal Music Group, today announced the inaugural recipients of the Bob Dylan Center Songwriter Fellowship: rising talents Tega Ethan from Nigeria and Taylor Zickfoose from Washington state.
In addition to being reviewed by BDC and UMPG executives, annual fellowship recipients were selected by a global panel of renowned artists including: French singer and songwriter Juliette Armanet, American singer and songwriter Patty Griffin, American singer and songwriter John Mellencamp, Mexican singer and songwriter Carla Morrison, and American rapper and songwriter Nas.
Tega Ethan, a 25-year-old singer-songwriter from Ibadan, Nigeria, spent 2022 in a one-year fellowship at the BIMM School of Music in London, England, and now seeks his next songwriting opportunity stateside. Upon selection, the pop-forward artist said, “Being accepted to the BDCSF makes me feel like a wide-eyed schoolboy. My mind and heart open to discover. I feel blessed.”
Taylor Zickefoose, 28-year-old Washington native, is a jazz-influenced singer-songwriter. She is currently working on a master’s degree in music composition from the University of Kansas. “Being accepted to the BDCSF means that I can continue to pour myself into my passion with reckless abandon,” said Zickefoose. “I am excited to learn from and work with the BDCSF to have my music reach a wider audience.”
Mellencamp stated, “Songwriters trying to make a go of it in the modern music business need the kind of encouragement and support that this fellowship provides. I congratulate Tega and Taylor on being the first two recipients, and hope they write some great songs during their time in Tulsa.”
Each fellowship encompasses a $40,000 project stipend, public engagement and presentation opportunities, dedicated time in BDC’s Bob Dylan Archive® to study Dylan’s creative process, roundtrip airfare to Tulsa and accommodations in the city, mentorship from UMPG songwriters and executives, and recording time in Tulsa’s historic The Church Studio, the famous studio of Leon Russell.
Managing the fellowship at BDC, Creative Services Manager Zac Fowler said, “With nearly 600 applicants from talented songwriters around the world, the selection process was immensely difficult, yet enjoyable the whole way through. We’re extremely thankful for our partnership with UMPG and the support from the panel of artist judges. We’re excited to host Tega and Taylor in Tulsa, and look forward to hearing the music they each create during their year spent focusing on songwriting here.”
The BDC anticipates opening the application window for the 2025-2026 fellowship later this Fall. For more information, please visit bobdylancenter.com/songwriterfellowship.
Photo: Taylor Zickefoose,Tega Ethan
